Leatt MTB Enduro 3.0 V24 Helmet

As time marches on, a small consolation is getting better at certain things, despite getting worse at other things. I've spent my life dealing with the realities of ADHD, and for me, that has often made packing for a trip challenging. It used to be that getting shit ready for any trip was paralyzing but the improvement is that now it's only top level trips that make me a little squirrely. These involve work and mountain bikes, along with everything else you need when you go away.* Packing for a vacation is no longer stressful but when I've got to think about camera gear, podcast equipment, computer, chargers for everything, bikes with different test parts, tools, sealant, etc., it becomes more daunting. Every year it gets a little easier, but I still bring too much shit for fear of not bringing enough. When something comes along that makes life a little easier, I'm pretty keen, and this helmet meets that standard.

*while my work always involves mountain biking, mountain biking doesn't always involve my work.

When One Helmet isn't Enough

Crankworx is a great example of an event that requires two helmets minimum, and packing multiple helmets sucks. These days, the only place where I generally wear a full face is in a bike park. I'm not saying that's wise, and many riders have a more sensible threshold for protecting their brain and dental work, but that's mine. If I'm shooting photos or taking part in a product presentation in a bike park, I'll forgo the chin bar, but if I'm spending a day re-learning how to hit gaps and doubles and putting in a lot of vertical, I am Captain Safety. There are days that split the difference between a big pedal in steamy weather and a pinned day at my limit in the WBP, and before this I had no solution for that middle kingdom. This versatile brain bucket solves all those problems, and eases my packing anxiety just slightly.

Any convertible helmet has some compromises and making one that has every option aside from an old school hairnet is challenging indeed but Leatt has done a good job making swaps easy and integrating the extra pieces involved in converting to both full face and open face modes. In fact, in this case I think both of those look a little better than the half shell, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Features

This is a well appointed helmet and I appreciate many of the choices Leatt has made. I'm a fan of the Fidlock buckle that can be done up or released with just one hand because of the magnetic mechanism. It's also nice and clean. Like most helmets in this range, it has a slip plane solution that works even for people with no hair.* Leatt's in-house solution is little blue pucks which they call 360 Turbine Technology.

*more than one observant commenter has pointed out that hair provides a slip-plane that allows helmets to rotate.

360 Turbine Technology achieves Leatt's rotational goals with little blue pucks that apparently do double duty. Beyond reducing the friction between noggin (hairy or otherwise) and helmet, thus potentially reducing the rotational energy said to be responsible for many concussions, these are said to aid in energy absorption "at concussion level," whatever that means. I find these much more comfortable than the thin plastic hairnet found in many MIPS-equipped helmets.

The visor has no bolts to get lost and is easily adjusted between three positions. I still often forget it in the highest position and end up looking like a squid but that look often suits me best. The upper rear vents are designed to provide an eyewear stash and it works well with the right pair but is less convenient than a front facing stash. Space available below your visor for goggles is a little tight for the two pairs I tried and while it worked in a pinch, I wouldn't walk into a bar with them pushed up there. The goggle fit is great once they are on your face.

Of course the killer feature of this helmet is its versatility.

Conversion

This isn't necessarily an intuitive system, but once you learn how to swap modes, it's pretty quick and easy. When I first grabbed the helmet and, without reading or watching any tips, started probing and yanking, my results were sub par. Hopefully nobody was watching but it's an exercise I find useful for testing.

Once I figured out that, to remove either the chin bar or the earpieces, you need to push the button and pull the piece away from the helmet, which requires two hands, it quickly became ingrained and not daunting in the least. I first assumed that pushing the buttons would release and eject the pistons from the main helmet. Instead they only release two tiny latches. These are spring loaded and wedge shaped so when they are pressed back into the recess of the helmet they don't need to be released first.

Those Buttons

The button itself is a little unusual. It has significant resistance that feels highly damped, as though an oil-filled bladder provides the return spring. The button isn't supported on the sides either so when you press against it you feel it wander and swim a little. If you don't press it close enough to the middle, it will angle and fail to release the latches. Aside from the damping, the resistance of the spring mechanism feels too high. It's not terrible by any means but the combination of having to push into the button while pulling the piece to be removed in the opposite direction, and the somewhat troublesome button, makes the mechanism a little awkward and unsatisfying in use. It's functional but it seems like it would be easy to allow the button to release from its perch without having to pull and to produce a less awkward process. At the same time, the mechanism is challenging enough that any sort of inadvertent release seems as likely as a roadie entering Rampage and once in place it is absolutely silent and secure. .

Another bit of good news about the connection between the pieces is that there is never any doubt whether or not everything is securely fastened thanks to a confidence inspiring click.

The process to re-mount the pieces involves first lining up the metal hook on each side and sliding them into place and then flexing either they earpiece or chin bar so that the cone containing the latches lines up with the recess in the helmet. This produces some tension between hook and recess which prevents any rattle or squirm and everything feels completely integrated once installed.

Fit

It took me a few tries to figure out the best system to put the helmet on or off in its two burlier configurations. Eventually I discovered the flexibility of the sides of the helmet when the earpieces or chin bar are installed. Now I just grab each side, with the straps out of the way, and perform a two-handed spread to either deploy or remove.

Once I stopped trying to peel my ears off, I began to notice how comfy this helmet is, in every guise. The medium fits my head incredibly well, even before the suspension system is dialled up. I really enjoy wearing it as an open face, which is how I've been riding it most often lately, but the other two modes are just as comfortable.

Minor gripes aside, I really enjoy wearing this helmet and it helps me make more appropriate safety choices more often - and pack lighter. My gripes, despite there being a few, are minor and unrelated to the protection provided. Some of them, like the tricky button, likely improve safety despite being slightly inconvenient while the rest are mostly minor cosmetic concerns.

It's not the lightest helmet in any configuration but it's entirely reasonable and never felt heavy or cumbersome while in use. The price is a little steep but you are getting a highly versatile helmet that can be used in three viable and useful configurations that add simplicity for those of us who often travel to ride in unknown or varied terrain.

Weights as measured (size M)

Half Shell - 468g

Open Face - 595g

Full Face - 720g

Pros

• Converts between half-shell, open face and full face
• Secure connection between helmet and optional pieces
• Excellent airflow for hot days with 20 vents
• Fidlock buckle
• Three position visor with no bolts and breakaway function
• Comfortable fit with 360 Turbine slip plane tech
• rear facing stash for eyewear
• Equally comfortable in each configuration
• Lightweight in each mode
• Great fit with washable anti-microbial liner
• Certified and tested: AS/NZS 2063:2008, EN1078, CPSC 1203, ASTM F1952–10

Cons

• Integration of earpieces and chin bar could be more seamless and flush
• Recesses for integration are somewhat unsightly
• Button use and removal process is a little awkward
• Colour match between different plastic types is a little off with orange version

Price - 400 CAD / 260 USD

Leatt MTB Enduro 3.0 V24 Helmet